At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals experiencing homelessness by sharing your lived experience and building trusting relationships.
- Company: Join South Yorkshire Housing Association, dedicated to making a difference in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, generous holiday, and access to training and development.
- Other info: Diverse backgrounds welcomed; excellent career growth opportunities in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping others navigate their challenges and improve their lives.
- Qualifications: Must have lived experience of homelessness or insecure housing; strong communication skills are essential.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Lived Experience Peer Support Worker to work alongside Sheffield City Council's Rough Sleeper Teams and Street Outreach Service. You will play a part in the delivery of the Council's Rough Sleeping Programme and Strategy, with the aim of improving people's experience and outcomes.
What we are looking for:
- The majority of people who are Rough Sleeping or at risk of have experienced multiple disadvantage and trauma. You will act as a mentor and expert by experience to people rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping.
- You will use your lived experience and insight to increase engagement, build relationships and develop understanding.
- We are looking for a compassionate and dedicated individual, and we welcome people from diverse backgrounds with different life experiences.
- It is essential that you have lived experience in any one or more of the following areas:
- Homelessness
- Insecure Housing
- Rough Sleeping
- Criminal Justice System (Desirable)
Who you are:
- We want to know what you enjoy doing and what you will do well. We want to ensure that this role is the right fit for you, so we are particularly interested in people who are:
- Excellent at building trusting relationships, strong communication and active listening skills, great at reaching out, connecting and engaging with a wide range of people.
- Empathetic and non-judgemental; open, honest and friendly, able to see and support the potential in people.
- A well of positivity, hopeful and optimistic, always seeking solutions.
- Have a good understanding of the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness and the systemic factors contributing to homelessness.
- Knowledge of local resources and support services for individuals experiencing homelessness is advantageous.
- Have lived experience yourself of either homelessness or insecure housing, rough sleeping and/or the criminal justice system. Ideally you will have been in recovery for a minimum of 2 years.
- Able to use your own lived experience to support others in an authentic, credible and appropriate way.
- Willing to develop your practice in peer support, strength-based approaches and motivational interviewing.
Please see the job description and person specification for more information, including the strengths we believe will lead to success in this role.
More about the role:
This specific service is funded by Sheffield City Council. SYHA deliver a Coproduction and Peer Support Service to support the Changing Futures programme in Sheffield. This role will sit under the Changing Futures umbrella and add to our existing Peer Support Worker roles.
Where will you be based?
The post will be based at SYHA’s head office at 152 Rockingham Street, Sheffield, with co-location in the Rough Sleeper and Housing First Teams, within and commissioned by Sheffield City Council. You may also be required to work at other partner organisations such as community settings, prison, probation, and voluntary services in line with the requirements of the role.
Benefits:
- Flexible working hours of 37 hours per week, negotiable (we’re happy to discuss part-time hours)
- 27 days holiday, plus 8 bank holidays, plus 4 SYHA days connected to bank holidays (pro-rata’d for part time staff)
- Benefits which include an excellent flexible working scheme, family friendly perks, wellbeing scheme, discounts scheme
- Access to a wide range of training and development to support you in your role.
- Pension contribution
Who we are:
At South Yorkshire Housing Association, our purpose is for our customers to settle at home, live well and realise their potential. Feeling settled and living well means different things to the people and families that live across South Yorkshire. So, we work with people in different ways – from our extra-care housing, to providing services and opportunities that individuals can access in their home, workplace and community, to creating houses for affordable rent.
Our employees enable us to create the best services, support, and experiences for our customers. We believe that difference makes us better, and that our services are made stronger by having a diverse workforce. We encourage and welcome applications from all backgrounds.
At SYHA, we value the incredible contribution and talent that people with disabilities can and do bring to our workplace and we are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. As part of our commitments, we will ensure that disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role will be guaranteed the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at interview.
To be considered under the scheme, disabled applicants must disclose their disability (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) on the Equal Opportunities section of the job application.
SYHA does not hold a sponsorship license and are unable to provide visa sponsorship.
Please note that we may remove this advert prior to the advertised date, dependent on the level of response received. Please apply at your earliest convenience.
Lived Experience Peer Support Worker (Homelessness/Rough Sleeping) in Sheffield employer: South Yorkshire Housing
At South Yorkshire Housing Association, we pride ourselves on being a forward-thinking and values-driven employer that prioritises employee wellbeing and development. With a flexible working scheme allowing for up to 50% remote work, generous annual leave, and a commitment to diversity, we create an inclusive environment where every team member can thrive and contribute to meaningful community services in Sheffield.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lived Experience Peer Support Worker (Homelessness/Rough Sleeping) in Sheffield
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to South Yorkshire Housing, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Lived Experience Peer Support Worker (Homelessness/Rough Sleeping) in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of South Yorkshire Housing. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at South Yorkshire Housing. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at South Yorkshire Housing
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with South Yorkshire Housing.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Lived Experience Peer Support Worker (Homelessness/Rough Sleeping) role at South Yorkshire Housing, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show South Yorkshire Housing that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
